Weekly classes, Std 1 to 10
Weekly classes, Std 1 to 10
Students develop quick thinking, calculated risk-taking, and adaptability in a safe, dynamic environment.
The challenge we address
We want students to try new things, be comfortable with failure, learn from mistakes, think fast, and take calculated risks. But they’re still kids – how do we teach this safely?
Our Approach: Engaging Games and Challenges
Everyone talks about building resilience, but few actually do it. At Walnut, we walk the talk through Strategic Thinking class.
What Takes Place in Class?
Board games and card games – constantly changing scenarios requiring quick adaptation.
Strategy challenges – thinking fast and out of the box.
Problem-solving puzzles – multiple approaches, no defined answers.
The science behind the fun
The science behind the fun
How Strategy-Based Board Games Build Real-World Resilience?
Playing strategy games with immediate feedback creates optimal learning conditions:
- Pattern recognition transfers across situations – recognizing similar challenges in different contexts.
- Rapid decision-making under pressure builds confidence in high-stakes situations.
- Immediate consequences teach cause-and-effect thinking faster than delayed feedback.
- Multiple attempts normalize failure as part of learning, not something to fear.
- Emotional regulation develops as students manage frustration and excitement repeatedly.
Brain Development Benefits
- Enhanced memory and cognitive processing.
- Improved concentration and focus.
- Stronger logic, reasoning, and critical thinking.
- Better spatial reasoning and problem-solving.
Social and Personality Development
- Communication, negotiation, and compromise skills.
- Reading body language and social cues.
- Sportsmanship and interpersonal confidence.
- Stress reduction and positive memory creation.
Optimized for learning
Optimized for learning
- Short rounds – allows multiple games per class for immediate strategy application.
- Partner switching – experience different gaming styles and approaches.
- Low-stakes environment – safe space to practice risk-taking and recovery.
Board Game Competitions
Students participate in Board Game Competitions on Electric Saturdays, applying classroom skills in formal competitive settings [Click here for glimpses over the years].
The Result
Students develop strong neural pathways for decision-making, become comfortable with dynamic environments and build the resilience needed for future challenges. Strategic thinking becomes natural, not forced.
We also see our students perform well in so many places
- Scholarship exam (Click here for results over the years).
- Bebras challenge (Click here for results over the years).
- Board exams (Click here for results over the years).
Sample Games to Try at Home
Here are just a few examples from our extensive collection (we play many more). Click on the game to download it and have fun!
- Walnut School – Std. 1 Empty the Chest
- Walnut School – Std. 2 Blast Off
- Walnut School – Std. 3 Watermelon Chess
- Walnut School – Std. 4 Watermelon Chess
- Walnut School – Std. 5 8×8 checkers
- Walnut School – Std. 6 Men Morris
- Walnut School – Std. 7 Alquerque
- Walnut School – Std. 8 Ludus
- Walnut School – Std. 9 Ludus
- Walnut School – Std. 10 Ludus
Industry Validation
Industry Validation
Leaders like Reid Hoffman(LinkedIn founder) advocate for strategic thinking development through games. Click here to listen to the Masters of Scale podcast where he talks about this.
RESEARCH BACKING This approach is supported by extensive research:
- University of Edinburgh study: “Regular players scored better on cognitive tests” [Click here for study].
- French research conclusion: “15% lower dementia risk among board game players” [Click here for study].
- Systematic review of 71 studies: “Significant cognitive improvements across multiple domains” [Click here for review].
